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Fast and Furious: How President Obama and John Boehner got to the brink

Obama and Boehner are in an executive vs. legislative branch standoff. |AP Photos

For months, the Oversight staff was told to look for other options. Key lawmakers were told the same. In short: Issa was ready, Boehner was not.

But the briefings continued. Oversight aides told Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-Va.) staff what the investigation was uncovering, and what they thought the Justice Department was withholding.

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Issa’s staff even printed out 50 news articles from across the country to show leadership aides that the story was gaining traction in the mainstream media. Meanwhile, Issa also remained cautious. Unlike scores of other House members, he never called on Holder to resign. When discussing the case, he made sure to mention Brian Terry, the U.S. Border Patrol agent killed in December 2010 at a scene where two Fast and Furious weapons were recovered.

Boehner, Cantor and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) began to feel extraordinary pressure from their membership, chiefly Reps. Jason Chaffetz of Utah and Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, who both serve on the Judiciary Committee and Issa’s panel. There were also more than 100 members who signed onto a resolution expressing no confidence in Holder.

“Over the course of a few weeks, Trey Gowdy and I went arm-in-arm to leadership,” Chaffetz said. “Over the last eight weeks, we told [leadership], ‘Gentlemen, if you have another idea, let us know. But there has to be resolution. We cant let this go into the wind.’ They said, ‘fair enough, let us dive deeper into it. Let’s figure something out.’”

Last month, Boehner’s attorneys told him they felt comfortable with the oversight panel’s work, and the speaker should hear from Issa.

Boehner, Issa and their aides met in the Capitol. Boehner told Issa to “whittle” his document request to two areas: how DOJ decided to retract an inaccurate letter it sent Congress last year and how it treated personnel who tried to blow the whistle on gunwalking.

Boehner wanted Issa to single out “where he was strongest,” according to several aides, and send that to the Justice Department with the threat of contempt.

On May 18, Boehner and Issa signed a joint letter, signaling the speaker was on board and a contempt vote could follow.

As the investigation unfolded, Obama has occasionally gotten press questions about Fast and Furious. But until Wednesday, he never showed any desire to step into the middle of the wrangling between Congress and the Justice Department. In February, Holder said he’d only “had passing conversations with the president just about the fact of my testifying in connection with Fast and Furious.”

“Nobody necessarily wants to get involved in these kinds of things or get dragged into it and then have some interaction, conversation that I have with them be made more than it is,” Holder said then.

The Justice Department, which has already given Congress 7,600 pages of Fast and Furious documents, could have simply acceded to all of Issa’s records requests. But administration officials said the focus of his probe has changed repeatedly, and they feared getting caught in an endless loop of requests for records followed by questions about how the requests were handled.

“I believe Republicans made the strategic decision that ‘we’re doing this’ [moving forward with contempt], and no accommodation would have diverted them,” an Obama aide said.

But Holder may have foreshadowed the president’s action when he told a Senate committee last week that he hoped to avoid a “constitutional crisis.” He later toned down that characterization, calling it a looming “constitutional confrontation.”

Readers' Comments (842)

Presenting leadership with 50 articles in order to convince them to go forward with a vote proves how politically partisan this has become. That isn't to say that the failures of Fast & Furious shouldn't be investigated, but 7600 documents and appearing 11 times before the committee seems to be or at least appears to be cooperation on the part of the AG, etc. Political junkies like me are paying attention to this. Hard to imagine the a majority of voters are laser-focused on it. A jobs bill is what people are focused on. If this investigation is the house majority leadership's idea of getting something done for the American people then they are more out of touch than previously thought to be. The investigation is legit. The rabid, partisan fervor surrounding it may well come back to bite them in the rear end.

It appears that Obama's "Fast and Furious" program has an anti-Second Amendment agenda attached to it for many voters. In an election year in which the poor economy is the # 1 issue, Obama can not afford yet another negative hit against his already suffering reelection attempt.

Obama can not afford what looks to be a NIXONIAN COVERUP, IMO. It may be time to throw Eric Holder under the bus.

How did Obama and the Congress get to this point? The answer's EASY! No one was ever supposed to know what they were up to--and then border agent Brian Terry died. He was killed by one of the automatic weapons "walked" across the border. Now, rather than the "expendable" multitudes of dead Mexicans that they expected, an American border agent was murdered with one of the weapons from Operation Fast and Furious.

What was Obama and Holder TRYING to do with Fast and Furious? They were "walking" weapons across the border, selling them to Mexican drug gangs, and counting on those same gangs to cause as much murder, mayhem, and bloodshed along the border as possible.

Why did they want all of this mayhem? They were hoping to use the public outcry over the increased level of drug violence as a means of enflaming the public to the point that they'd call for (or accept) stricter gun control laws. The Democrat left has learned that pushing for gun control is a HUGE loser, so they tried to approach it from a different angle--murder and mayhem on the border.

It has backfired on them, BADLY! In light of that, now we know why Obama is hiding documents under Executive Privilege, and Holder has repeatedly LIED to the House committee and is held in contempt.

In February of 2009, I wrote about Obama's aims for Eric Holder. I predicted that his most important function would be to chip away at our 2nd Amendment rights.

Eric Holder has a long history of opposing gun ownership for private citizens, but he doesn't hesitate using heavily armed government agents to raid the home of an American citizen protecting a small boy (Elian Gonzalez) from communist slavery.

People like Eric Holder EPITOMIZE the radical left's opposition to citizens keeping and bearing arms! After all, armed citizens are far more difficult to dictate to, or even enslave.

Attorney General Eric Holder is there for ONE purpose, to go after Americans, and our 2nd Amendment! Barack Obama already made it clear to the Jihadis that "we are not your enemy" when he spoke to Al-Aribiya radio two weeks ago. Obama wants space, he wants "breathing room" from the War On Terror so that he can use his new AG Holder to go after his American political opposition, and gun owners are right at the top of that list!

For now, Holder will have to nibble at the edges of the 2nd Amendment by issuing/enforcing extended waiting periods for gun purchases, restrictions on ammo purchases, listing everything bigger that a .22 caliber as an assault weapon, and engaging in other forms of subterfuge. But make no mistake, gun owners are in Holder's cross-hairs.

Well, it seems like all this talk about chewing gum and walking at the same time was just horse poop by the Obama Administration. The smartest man to ever hold the power of the White House has been placed on the spot light and he has failed.

Transparency? Turns out that was only to embarrass the Bush Administration.

Corruption? Turns out the Obama Administration is as corrupt as the Mexican government.

Rule of Law? Turns out that Mr. Holder began his career as Attorney General investigating how criminal the Bush Administration was and got caught up in it.

Hypocrisy? Check that box by both the Obama Administration and liberals as a whole.

"We are not Blue States or Red States, we are the United States of America? Well that's out the window. The President has made sure to divide this nation.

Criminal? Where are those liberals yelling at the top of their lungs "WAR CRIMINAL" when now we actually have the White House and DOJ hiding documentation that could incriminate the President?

Economy? Turns out that Liberals now demand jobs instead of putting in corrupt people in jail. Well, we can chew gum and walk at the same time. Just watch us!!!

Media and FactChecks? The MSM and Fact Checkers will work overtime to defend corruption because they have an invested interest in the re-election of President O.

Blewjob? Can someone plezzzzz get a Blewjob so that we can impeach you!!!!! Pretty Please!!!!

What was Obama and Holder TRYING to do with Fast and Furious? They were "walking" weapons across the border, selling them to Mexican drug gangs, and counting on those same gangs to cause as much murder, mayhem, and bloodshed along the border as possible.

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You know, Liberals love to blame the Bush Administration for the thousands of dead soldiers in Iraq "Bush lied, people died". Turns out that we have officially lost 2000 soldiers in Afghanistan, yet the MEDIA is not reporting it. Turns out hundreds if not thousands of Mexicans have died at the hands of criminals anddrug lords who used American guns provided by the Obama Administration and they are trying their best to cover it up.

Where are the same liberals who used to have such high standards, morals and values during the Bush Administration? They used to claim that "we are better than this". Well, here is their chance to demonstrate that they can chew gum and walk at the same time as President Obama famously said he could do!

The mainstream media's day of twisting the news is over. MSNBC's corrupt editing of the Latino American Zimmerman's 911 tape does not play well in most American homes. The deaths of American heros guarding our borders and the Obama administration invoking an executive order to coverup their involement also smells. We don't need another Richard Nixon presidency.

The unemployment rate in the Latino communities is already higher. What will be the impact of another million workers also looking for jobs?

This is another case of the tea-colored tail wagging the Republican dog. More accurately, the rabid Republican dogs, frothing at the mouth, are barking and threatening to bite the Republican lead dogs, forcing them into directions they don't want to go (and shouldn't go). Republicans have long been known for believing Congress is a stage meant for political theater, not actually for doing the work of the country. So once again they are wasting time and tax dollars on a witch hunt. Like in any witch hunt, you first have to create a witch, since none exists. Republicans believe it's too soon to pull another stunt like making a mockery of our Constitution by impeaching a president on ridiculous charges, so instead they have targeted another prominent and powerful African American, our Attorney General. This battle has nothing to do with the slain agent, though Republican leaders will try to pretend it does. We know it doesn't, for Republicans are demanding only documents dated two months after the death, not documents that might shed light on what decisions led to the death. Republicans want a show of doing something important (that will smear the administration). They need something to divert public attention from their absolute unwillingness to pass the American Jobs Act, which would put millions of Americans to work, or a Transportation bill that would also put millions to work repairing and modernizing our crumbling infrastructure (which, in turn, would boost our economic growth).

There is a huge hypocrisy going on in this Congressional brouhaha. Do Republicans really want us to believe they consider it a tragedy a U.S. law enforcement agent was killed with a weapon provided by the United States? Their usual line is: "Gins don't kill people; people kill people," or "If they didn't get the gun from that source, they would have gotten it someplace else. Tougher regulations wouldn't have prevented the death." Republicans, lackeys of the NRA, are pushing for the proliferation of guns all over the United States -- in our schools, bars and even churches. Their support of stand-your-ground laws is a few short steps from offering hunting licenses to bullying bigots with a hate that aims to kill. Thanks to Republicans and Democrats, the United States is the biggest arms dealer in the world. Any war we get into involves the very good chance of our military men and women being killed with weapons made in the USA. If Republicans want to do something important, do something about that.

i swear people are soo gullible with this whole omaha is after your guns crap. This program started in 2006 as in under president bush. why on earth do people start with conspiracy scems is beyond me. use your head people. obama wouldnt work against his own self interest ya know, he isnt stupid

This is another case of the tea-colored tail wagging the Republican dog. More accurately, the rabid Republican dogs, frothing at the mouth, are barking and threatening to bite the Republican lead dogs, forcing them into directions they don't want to go (and shouldn't go

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In other words, YOU ROAMEO approve of this corruption and lies and you don't care that people have died. Isn't that what you fought against during the Bush Era?

So your high standards, morals and values during the Bush Administration were ALL FAKE, weren't they?

Let's face it, the more you defend it, the more dig yourself into hypocrisy dip. You can't have it both ways - We won't let you!!!

Blue Light: Where are the same liberals who used to have such high standards, morals and values during the Bush Administration? They used to claim that "we are better than this". Well, here is their chance to demonstrate that they can chew gum and walk at the same time as President Obama famously said he could do!

Yes, they are indeed incompetant. But even worse, they are CORRUPT to the core, and utterly immoral in the pursuit of their goals--in this case their goal was to tighten up gun control laws.

beckon:

Boy, is this reminiscent of 1974 or what? Never thought I'd live to see something like this unfold again, but here we are.

Holder and Obama are cut from the same cloth.

Both are two of the most intellectually dishonest men ever to hold national office.

They are left-wing radicals. Holder is one of the radicals from the Clinton Administration who was INSTRUMENTAL in getting terrorists pardoned. These bad apples just KEEP popping up, don't they?

i swear people are soo gullible with this whole omaha is after your guns crap. This program started in 2006 as in under president bush. why on earth do people start with conspiracy scems is beyond me. use your head people. obama wouldnt work against his own self interest ya know, he isnt stupid

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People like you fought the Bush Administration to the end. It was so EMBARRASSING that you couldn't wait to get rid of it. In its place, you wanted to put the SMARTEST man in the office. Mai gawd, the new guy was so smart, he would FIX everything and TURN America around. Heck he would CHANGE the bad reputation we had in the world, and give us HOPE!! and he would NOT be like Bush.

Turns out you now defend Bush! If Bush did it, then it is ok for Obama to do it. Right? Is that what the self proclaimed Extra Intelligent Liberals are saying?

I could highlight your hypocrisy all day in big bold red letters and you would still not get it!

Extremely rudimentary are 'false flags operations' using 'agent provoctuers'.. Deceive is the goal. They even bus a bus load of clowns in just so they can diffuse the impetus of the idea. They can not stand the light of day.. They can only conceive more plans to twart reason, logic and decency.

They lie.. and Mitt will too.. he will lose his soul for Camelot... I bet the pit bosses boss on that one.. Easy money!

How is justice related to dupe?

American people know of the constant lying, dupin' subterfuge of reason.

And a big shout-Out to MSM and the FCC for allowing such.

Truly, We are Exceptional Americans just takin' credit for the great work our esteemed Congress and Executive Branch remind us of.. They love the USC, The Bill of Right's. NAFTA cost you 82% jobs. Inflation is up 50% at grocery stores, and Iraq which was a big lie cost you a couple more dollars in cost. Maybe we can find some other advanced culture to destroy.. Then gas would be about $6.00 a gallon. How' bout Iran? They've an advanced culture... They've got water, electricity and infrastructure.. Seems the USA has crumblin' infrastructure. Is the USA and Israel jelous.. or envious.. or just what is it makin' them want to kill more innocents over some type of lies.

The NWO? If so, why does America have to be so un-Godly in actions? Reap what you soe.. Huh?

Way too many Americans know of the falseness of your genuinity.. But you could care less.. Treat Americans like animals.. like cattle as Kissinger said.. O Ye Fools of Youth.. and the Older Fools are just older. Laughable it is. I'm not a partner.

Hell-O Putin - I recall many claiming you duped a few voters over there.. How do you like us now? LOL

Keep-on with Your exceptionalsim B.S.---- it is very entertaining.

Alex jones of infowars at noon for INTEL.. Joyce at Power Hour for clues and puzle pieces this AM 8